Jean-Robert Bellande claims to have collected enough funds for him to put down the $1 million needed to play in the WSOP's BIG ONE For ONE DROP. Bellande announced his participation on Twitter.

Jean-Robert Bellande has surprisingly announced that he will be playing in the $1 million BIG ONE For ONE DROP event at this summer's World Series of Poker.

The million dollar event is anticipated to draw one of the most pro- and money heavy fields in tournament poker history, and could award more than $20 million to its eventual winner.

So far, the list of participants has been filling up with names like Gus Hansen, Patrik Antonius and Phil Ivey, but now Bellande appears to have become an unlikely contender shortly before the first cards hit the air.

Bellande revealed his plans to play in the event on Twitter, simply writing "Yes. I'm going to play the One Drop."

Bellande's announcement is surprising because of his reputation as a "broke" pro, who has managed to create a living like he was a millionaire.

Fans have for years followed his ups and downs through his "BrokeLivingJRB" Twitter account, as well as he arlier this year launched his own website, JRBPoker.com, under the "Broke and living like a millionaire" slogan.

Yesterday's announcement has therefore spurred speculations as to who will be backing Bellande for the event, as it appears unlikely that he will pay the buy-in out of his own pocket.

With Bellande's registration, the BIG ONE For ONE DROP event has now reached 36 confirmed starters, including heavyweights like Hansen, Ivey, Antonius, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, Tony G, Erik Seidel and Johnny Chan.

Also set to play is 2010 WSOP Main Event winner Jonathan Duhamel, as well as the ONE DROP Foundation's creator and mastermind behind the record event, multibillionaire Guy Laliberté.

Source: Poker.org